Sampling device

ABSTRACT

Sampling devices are used to obtain samples of fluids to be analyzed and to determine the composition of the fluid in the sampled environment. A sampling apparatus with an inflatable sample bag used to collect and store liquid, air, vapor, and or gas samples by drawing the sample into the bag through an inlet, a sorbent tube, cassette, and/or other collection media is described. The means for extracting the sample and moving it into the sample bag comprises means for expanding the volume of a sample bag and creating a vacuum or reduced pressure within the sample bag. The means for expanding the include separating walls of a sample bag by use of gravity, pneumatic pressure, a biasing force, hydraulic force, for example or increasing the volume of a sample bag retaining container by such forces. Such sampling apparatuses do not require use of a sampling pump.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/580,831 filed on Dec. 28, 2011 which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Sampling devices are used to obtain samples of fluids to be analyzed andto determine the composition of the fluid in the sampled environment.Sampling devices may be designed to obtain samples of a fluid at aparticular moment or obtain a sample over an extended period of time.The sampling devices are designed to relatively easily obtain anaccurate whole air sample and minimize contamination of the sampleduring the sampling process and during storage of the sample.Embodiments of the sampling device include an inflatable sample bag usedto collect and or store air, vapor, and or gas samples and or used tocollect liquid, air, vapor, and or gas samples on a sorbent tube,cassette or other collection media by drawing the liquid, air, vapor,and or gas sample through a sample bag inlet, the sorbent tube,cassette, and/or other collection media when the sample bag is inflated.

BACKGROUND

Fluid sampling is regularly performed to determine the amount of varioustarget compounds in an area such as a chemical facility, a laboratory,confined space, or other area which could potentially be contaminated bychemical compounds. Samples may be taken over a short sampling period oftime indicating “instantaneous” exposure of personnel to the compounds(“grab sample”) or the sample taken over an extended sampling period oftime to determine an average exposure of the personnel to the compoundover the extended sampling period of time. Conventionally, samples aretypically drawn into a sample bag by a sampling pump or collected on acassette attached to the pump.

There are basically two conventional sampling systems, a direct samplingsystem and an indirect sampling system. A typical direct sampling systemis shown in FIG. 1-A. As shown in FIG. 1-A, a conventional directsampling apparatus or device 61 comprises a sampling pump 60 that drawsa gas to be sampled from the surrounding environment and discharges thesampled gas through the tubing 65 into a sample bag 62. The sample bag62 comprises an inlet 66 with a tubing connection. The inlet 66 mayfurther be attached to a valve that may be opened during the samplingprocess and closed to retain the sample in the sample bag 62. The samplebag 62 may then be removed from the sampling device 61 and sent to alaboratory for analysis. In a direct sampling apparatus, the inlet ofthe sampling pump 60 is in fluid communication with the area to besampled and the outlet of the pump 60 is in fluid communication with theinner volume of the sample bag 62. As such, the gas to be sampled flowsthrough the sampling pump 60 and tubing 65. In such a direct samplingsystem, the gas contacts the internal components of the sampling pump 60and the inner wall of the tubing 65, this contact may result incontamination of the sampled gas or loss of a portion of the sample asit attaches to or reacts with the material in the pump or with the wallsof the tubing resulting in a sample that represents less than the actualconcentration of the contaminant. The internal components of the pumpand inner wall of the tubing may still comprise a residue of previouslysampled gas or may be contaminated from a cleaning or maintenanceprocedures. To eliminate the chance of contamination of the sampled gasand/or loss of a portion of the components of the sampled by contactwith the sampling pump or other components of the direct samplingapparatus, indirect sampling apparatuses may be used.

A typical indirect sampling apparatus is shown in FIG. 1-B. As shown inFIG. 1-B, a conventional indirect sampling apparatus 63 also comprises asampling pump 60. However, the sampling pump 60 in an indirect samplingmethod draws air from inside a hermetically sealed box 64 (sometimesreferred to as a “lung box”) to create a vacuum. A lung box 64 is arigid walled hermetically sealed box with a connector for the pump 60inlet and a connector 65 to provide fluid communication between thesample bag 62 with the exterior area to be sampled. A sample bag 62within the lung box 64 expands due to the vacuum and thus draws gas fromthe area to be sampled through tubing 65 into sample bag 62. The samplebag 62 in an indirect sampling system also comprises an inlet 66 with atubing connection and a valve that may be opened during the samplingprocess and closed to retain the sample in the sample bag 62. The samplebag 62 may be removed from the lung box 64 and sent to a laboratory foranalysis. As the pump draws air out of the lung box 64, the walls of thegas-sampling bag 62 are pulled apart by the resultant vacuum thusincreasing the inner volume of the sample bag 62 and providing drivingforce for the ambient gas to be sampled to fill the sample bag 62. Theindirect sampling apparatus 63 may be more bulky than a direct samplingapparatus 61 but provides a lower risk of contamination,cross-contamination of samples and/or loss of a portion of thecontaminant. Drawbacks for both of the conventional direct and indirectsampling apparatuses include the necessity of carrying and storing bulkyequipment, charging the pump batteries, maintaining and calibrating thepump regularly and calibrating the pump by trained personnel before andafter use of the pump for time weighted average (TWA) samples, and toestablish a clean stationary sampling place. Further, in certainapplications such as, but not limited to, chemical, petrochemical,petroleum, and natural gas facilities, the electronic pumps of directand indirect sampling apparatuses must be certified as intrinsicallysafe to ensure the electronic pump does not create a spark sufficient tocause an explosion or a fire.

The high prices of both direct and indirect sampling apparatuses and theancillary equipment affect the overall cost of the sampling. Thesesampling apparatuses require that the sampling pump be well calibratedand can pump consistently particularly when performing a samplingprocess through an extended period.

A more sophisticated sampling apparatus includes a SUMMA Canister 70 asshown in FIG. 1-C. A SUMMA canister is a stainless steel vessel whichhas specially passivated internal surfaces using a “Summa” passivationprocess. A Summa passivation process combines an electro-polishing stepwith chemical deactivation to produce a surface that is chemicallyinert. Due to the passivation of the surface, chemical compounds are notabsorbed on the surface and samples retained in a SUMMA canister arestable for a longer period than a sample retained in a conventionalsample bag. To draw a sample into the canister, the pressure within theSUMMA canister 70 is reduced to vacuum of approximately twenty-eightinches mercury to remove substantially all the gas in the canister 70.The residual gas is typically uncontaminated air or ballast such asnitrogen or other inert carrier gas. The SUMMA sampling apparatuscomprises a special flow regulator that may be calibrated to achievepredetermined sampling time of, for example, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1hour, 2 hours or up to 24 hrs. The sampling process is typicallyfinished when the pressure in the SUMMA canister has risen to about 2inches of mercury vacuum; therefore, the canister is still under vacuumeven after sampling. To facilitate withdrawal of the sample from thecanister for analysis or other use, the SUMMA canister 70 mustsubsequently be pressurized with an inert carrier gas or filteredcalibration grade clean air. The inert carrier gas or filteredcalibration grade clean air raises the pressure within the SUMMAcanister without contaminating the sample. However, adding gas in thepressurization process and the original gas in the canister afterreducing the vacuum to 28 inches results in a dilution of theconcentration of the target gases in the sample.

After pressurization, an aliquot volumetric analysis sample of thediluted gas is withdrawn for analysis. Each step including vacuuming,sampling, and pressurizing of the Summa canister is monitored by use ofa pressure gauge and the accuracy of monitoring each step depends on theaccuracy and reliability of the pressure gauge to calculate volumes ofgas in the canister. In many cases, the pressure gauges used with SUMMAcanisters do not have accuracy necessary or are not calibrated preciselyenough for extremely accurate determination of the dilution ratiobetween the gas actually sample and the residual gas in the containerand the gas added during the pressurization process. Therefore, there isan inherent systematic error in the gas concentration calculations andtarget gas analytical determination. As such, the accuracy of overallmethod is compromised from the many steps and is prone to errors.

The disadvantages of using a SUMMA canister sampling apparatus includethe initial high costs of the canister, the high cleaning cost of theinterior of the canister, high maintenance costs of the canister andperipheral equipment, the high cost of purchasing and maintaining aspecial cleaning system in specialized labs, the high cost of specialgauges and expensive flow controllers, the necessity of a precise flowcalibration for each extended sampling period, the necessity of constantobservation during a sampling period to end the sampling process so thepressure does not exceed the limit of 2 inches of mercury vacuum, thenecessity of accurately pressurizing the SUMMA canister with a carriergas or filtered calibration grade clean air, the high cost of the inertcarrier gas cylinder and cylinder demurrage or the cost of creating thefiltered grade clean air, the necessity of performing additionalcalculations after chemical analysis, and the necessity to know theinitial sampling conditions including temperature, barometric pressure,and altitude above sea level.

Due to drawbacks of the sampling apparatuses and processes describedabove, there is a need for a sampling apparatus which will eliminate atleast a portion of the drawbacks of the conventional sampling methods.

There is an additional need for a device which will allow sampling forpreset short sampling periods including 15 min., 30 min., 2 hrs. (STELor Ceiling, r task-durations in some occasions) and/or extended samplingperiods including 8 hours to 24 hours (TWA) without use of pumps and/orauxiliary vacuum equipment. There is a further need for a samplingapparatus that uses alternative sources of energy for the samplingprocess and which is easy to manufacture at low cost and easy tooperate.

SUMMARY

Sampling systems are used to obtain samples that represent theenvironment from which the sample was taken. The components of thesampling systems should not significantly contaminate the sample.Embodiments of a sampling device may comprise a sampling bag and a meansfor extracting the sample from the environment and moving it into thesample bag. In one embodiment, the means for extracting the sample andmoving it into the sample bag comprises means for physically expandingthe volume of a sample bag and creating a vacuum or reduced pressurewithin the sample bag.

The means for physically expanding the volume of a sample bag andcreating a vacuum or reduced pressure within the sample bag includeseparating walls of a sample bag by use of gravity, pneumatic pressure,a biasing force, hydraulic force, for example or increasing the volumeof a sample bag retaining container.

In one embodiment, a sampling apparatus comprises a sample bag, ahanging element, and a force, such as the force of gravity exerted on aweight connected to the sampling bag, wherein the force created by theweight is sufficient to increase the inner volume of the sample bag andcreate a vacuum within the inner volume. The sample bag may furthercomprise panels, such as a top panel and/or a bottom panel, attached tothe walls of the sampling bag. The sampling device may further comprisea flow control device in fluid communication with the inlet and a gas tobe sampled. The flow control device may be a capillary tube or containan orifice to control the flow rate into the sample bag. Still further,the flow control device may comprise a particulate filter 42. Thesampling devices or apparatuses may further be activated by other forcesincluding gravity, springs, biasing elements, compressed air, orhydraulic fluids.

Further embodiments of the sampling apparatus may include an indirectactivation sampling device or apparatus comprising systems foractivation by gravity, springs, biasing elements, compressed air, orhydraulic fluids.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts three conventional sampling devices, wherein FIG. 1-Adepicts a conventional direct sampling apparatus capable of direct shortor long term sampling comprising a variable speed pump pumping a sampleinto a gas-sampling bag; FIG. 1-B depicts a conventional indirectsampling apparatus for direct short or long term sampling comprising avariable speed pump connected to a hermetically sealed box with rigidwalls and a sample bag within the box with inlet in fluid communicationthrough one of the walls with the ambient air; FIG. 1-C depicts aconventional SUMMA canister apparatus with a fluid flowcontroller/regulator and pressure gauge;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a sampling apparatus comprising a samplebag and a weight sufficient to create a vacuum within the inner volumethereby utilizing gravity as energy source as well as additionalsampling devices including colorimetric tubes and flow devices;

FIG. 3 depicts embodiments of three sampling devices, wherein FIG. 3-Adepicts an embodiment of a sampling apparatus comprising a sample bag, aweight sufficient to create a vacuum within the inner volume; a hangingelement connected to a panel attached to a top wall of the sample bag;FIG. 3-B depicts an embodiment of a sampling apparatus comprising asample bag, a weight sufficient to create a vacuum within the innervolume; and a support element for supporting the panel; FIG. 3-C depictsan embodiment of a sampling apparatus comprising a sample bag, a weightsufficient to create a vacuum within the inner volume; and a hangingelement comprising a top panel fitted as a lid to a plastic box;

FIG. 4 depicts three sampling devices with volume limiting devices invarious stages of sampling with different shapes and/or styles of thesample bags, wherein FIG. 4-A depicts a sampling apparatus comprising aregular type bag with two symmetric flexible sides; FIG. 4-B depicts asampling apparatus comprising a sampling bag with an accordion type sidewalls; and FIG. 4-C depicts a sampling apparatus comprising a sample bagwith randomly folded side walls;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a sampling apparatus with a partialcross-section of the supporting box, the sampling device and a bottle orother reservoir which may be filled to provide the desired weight andsampling time;

FIG. 6 depicts embodiments of the sampling apparatus utilizing forcedifferent than gravity to bias the bag's walls; wherein FIGS. 6-Aa and6-Ab show the use springs mounted within the sample bag; FIGS. 6-Ac and6-B depict springs mounted on the exterior of the sample bag and biasingpanels attached to or forming part of the sample bag walls; FIG. 6-Cdepicts the use of pressurized fluid in pneumatic or hydraulic cylindersto bias the panels attached to or forming part of the sample bag wallsfor activation of the sampling process; FIGS. 6-Da, 6-Db and 6-Dcillustrate a pressurized gas used with an inflatable body or bodiessurrounding the sampling bag for biasing the sampling bag wall or thepanels; and

FIG. 7 depicts the use of lung box type container comprising two rigidwalls and at least one expandable (accordion type) wall which comprisesa sampling bag, wherein the rigid walls may be biased by the force ofgravity, springs, hands, compressed gas, or hydraulic fluid.

DESCRIPTION

Sampling devices and sampling apparatuses (used herein as “samplingdevice” or “sampling devices”) are used to obtain samples for analysisto determine the composition of the fluid. As used herein, the term“fluid” includes liquids, gases, vapors, aerosols and fluids comprisingparticulates. Embodiments of the sample bag may be used to collect andor store air, vapor, and or gas samples and/or used to collect air,vapor, and or gas samples on a sorbent tube, particulates of a cassette,filter, or other collection media by drawing the air, vapor, and or gassample through the sorbent tube, cassette, or other collection media.Environmental Protection Agency compliance sampling and industrialhygiene monitoring relies on accurate and reproducible sample techniquesand devices to accurately determine and verify the quality ofpersonnel's work environment. For example, samples may be taken from theair in a work environment and the sample then transported to alaboratory for analysis to determine the environmental quality of thesampled air or field samples may be collected and taken to analyticalinstruments such as, but not limited to, gas chromatographs, infraredanalyzer, and mass spectrophotometers for analysis on site. Onsiteanalysis saves time and money compared to analysis completed at remotelocations. The industrial hygiene sampling is used to monitor and ensurea safe work environment for personnel.

Typical conventional sampling systems comprise a sampling pump as thedriving force to pump the gas to be sampled into the sampling bag. SeeFIGS. 1-A and 1-B. Though these systems work well, sampling pumps areexpensive, require frequent maintenance, and may cause contamination ofthe sample.

Embodiments of the sampling apparatus described herein use gravity, aspring, compressed air, or hydraulic fluid to develop the driving forceto cause the gas to be sampled to be drawn into the sampling bag. Inembodiments of the sampling device described, the sampling device doesnot include a sampling pump as a driving force for sampling.

As in conventional sampling systems, embodiments of the sampling devicesand systems comprise a sampling container or sample bag. The samplingcontainer may be any container capable of retaining and substantiallyprotecting the integrity of the sampled fluid during sampling, transportand analysis. Embodiments of the sampling apparatus may comprise atleast one of sampling activation means. As described above, theactivation means may be direct activation or indirect activation. Indirect activation, the activation means acts directly on a wall of thesampling container to expand the inner volume of the sampling containerand draw a sample into the sampling container. In indirect activation,the activation means acts on a hermetically sealed secondary containercomprising the sampling container. (See FIG. 1-B for a conventionalindirect activation system and FIG. 7 for an embodiment of a weightedindirect activation sampling process). Even a slight vacuum within thesecondary container results in expansion of the volume of the samplingbag and a fluid to be sampled to be drawn into the sampling bag throughthe inlet of the sample container.

Sample Container

Embodiments of the sampling apparatus described herein comprise asampling container such as, but not limited to, a sample bag. The samplecontainer may comprise at least one flexible or elastic wall. Theflexible or elastic wall of the sample container allows the inner volumeof the sample container to be increased thus drawing a fluid to besampled into the sample container through the inlet. The walls of thesampling container define the inner volume of the sample container. Theinner volume of the sampling container may be expanded by application ofa force to the walls of the bag to cause the walls to bias apart. Theforce may be, as described above, a direct force acting of the wall or avacuum within a secondary container acting upon the walls of the samplecontainer. The sampling container further comprises at least one inletin fluid communication with the inner volume and an area exterior to thesample container.

The sample container may be a sample bag. The sample bags may be atleast partially constructed from any substantially impermeable flexiblematerial such as, but not limited to, polyvinyl fluoride (PVF),FLEXFILM™, FLEX FOIL™, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF),polytetrafluoroethylene, metalized films, metal alloys, stainless steelincluding low carbon stainless steels, flexible sheets of stainlesssteel, and multilayered films. The sample bags may be as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/035,163, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. There are many sample bagsavailable from SKC™, for example. Material for the flexible middle bodymay be selected from the group of multilayer materials such asmultilayer materials comprising aluminum foil between the layers ofpolyester, Nylon or both and/or a sealing layer comprising a polyolefin.It is advantageous to the present invention for the sample bag to haveadditional thin inside layer chosen from a group including SST, PEEK,Teflon, Kaynar, Tedlar or alike.

Embodiments of the sample bag comprise at least one thin monolayer ormultilayer flexible wall forming an air tight pouch. The samplecontainer or sample bag may comprise a combination of flexible and rigidwalls. The sample bag may be made of any desired shape including, butnot limited to, circular, oval, square, rectangular or polygonal.Embodiments of the sample bag may be constructed from several walls withseams. The seams may be formed by any effective method includingwelding, folding, thermo-sealing, and/or adhesives, for example. Thebody may have two main walls and, optionally, may have additional sidewalls. It may follow the shape of flat pouch, accordion or randomlyfolded side walls. Both of the main walls may have one or more aperturesfor mounted inlet/outlets such as tubing connectors, valves, orifices,and septums, for example.

Embodiments of the sampling device may comprise a sample bag withattached panels. The panels may be similar to the panels described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/028,587, now U.S. Pat. No.8,714,035, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.One wall of the sample bag may be considered a top wall. The designationof the top wall is based upon a typical orientation of the samplingapparatus in use. Embodiments of the panel may comprise a panel madefrom a light sturdy material. The light sturdy material may be aplastic, metal sheet, cardboard, wood, composite material, foam or othermaterial, for example. The sample bag may comprise only one panel, ifdesired. It is advantageous to this invention if the material of thepanel is a corrugated plastic sheet, preferably polypropylene, althoughit may be any sturdy, relatively thin material, including aluminum orstainless steel sheets. The panel may also be one of the walls of thesampling container. As such, the sample container may have at least onerigid wall in which the flexible wall is connected. The rigid panel mayserve both purposes as a wall and a panel, for example. The material ofthe panels and is advantageously chosen as light rigid corrugatedplastic such as polypropylene of 2 to 8 mm in thickness, for example.

In one embodiment, the sampling apparatus comprises panels that have alarger surface area than the flattened sample bag. A panel attached tothe sample bag may also comprise an aperture such that the inlet of thesample bag may extend through the aperture, if appropriate.

In another embodiment, the sampling apparatus comprises a sample baghaving wall constructed from thin monolayer or multilayer flexible foil(or thin metal sheet) forming a substantially air tight bag with anydesired shape. The sample bag may be constructed from several walls. Thewalls may be connected together with seams, welds, adhesives, heatsealing, compression sealing, combinations thereof, or other sealingmeans. For example, the sample bag may have two main walls and,optionally, may have additional side walls. The sample bag may be a flatpouch, bellows shaped, accordion shaped or have randomly folded sidewalls. Both of the two main walls may have one or more apertures, aninlet and inlet valve and septum.

In certain embodiments of sampling devices for gravity activation, thesize of one or more panel may be slightly larger than the surface areaof the (top portion of the) sample bag. Further, any apertures in thesample bag may be made to match and be accessible through an aperture ina panel. A bottom wall is defined as the wall on an opposite side of thesampling bag as the top wall. Generally for gravity activationembodiments, the top wall of the sample bag will be connected (directlyor indirectly) to the hanger element and the bottom wall will beconnected (directly or indirectly) to the weight. Therefore, gravityprovides the biasing force on the sample bag walls to increase the innervolume of the bag. The hanger element may be a hook, ring, a panel forresting on a support structure, or other means to support the topportion. In other embodiments, the bottom panel may be stationary andthe top panel may be moved to draw a sample within the sampling bag.

In specific embodiments for gravity activation, the sampling devicecomprises a top panel, a bottom panel that has a larger surface areathan the bottom wall of the sample bag and smaller surface area than thetop panel. This bottom panel comprises a means for attaching a weight ingravity activation methods.

The weight support element may comprise at least one retractableC-shaped handle defining a recess for retaining the weight, may form asubstantially enclosed accessible space such as a pouch, may comprise ahook, an adhesive, mechanical connector, hook and loop connector, or maybe formed integral to the wall or panel, for example. The weight, insome particular embodiments, may be positioned into inner samplingspace. In embodiments of the sampling apparatus comprising a weightsupport element comprising C-shaped handles, the C-shaped handles maydefine a recess that may receive a bottle or other container having apredetermine volume or a weight. The container may be filled with anyliquid or solid to produce the desired weight. As water is readilyavailable, nontoxic, and has a consistent density, the volume of thebottle may be filled to a known volume corresponding to known combinedweight of the container and water. The bottle also may have a means toallow for a complementary connector to attach to the weight supportelement on the bottom panel or the weight support element on a samplebag wall. In an embodiment with a pouch at the bottom, the pouch mayaccept any type or shape of weight. In some embodiments, the weight forthe pouch or other weight support element may be a metal piece or metalpieces—shims with known size and density, for example, that may becombined to produce the desired total weight. The top panel may besuspended by means of at least one string, wire, rope, ribbon, otherelongated member, or a combination thereof to hang the weight, Forexample, in some embodiments, the sample bag may comprise at least threestrings or other flexible supports for connecting the weight to thebottom of the sample bag or the bottom panel of the sampling device.

The hanging element may be hung on any suitable object allowingsufficient space underneath the sampling device in its emptyconfiguration to accommodate the device in its full configuration afterthe sampling process is completed. The hanging element may be a hook forconnecting to the ceiling, a ring capable of being placed over a hook onthe wall or ceiling, or other object capable of supporting the totalweight of the device. Typically the sampling apparatus has a weight lessthan 6 lbs. Advantageously, the top panel may be supported by a box or abox-like frame or structure. In one embodiment, the box or box-likeframe or structure made from material similar or the same as the panels.Advantageously, the top panel may fit the top of sturdy walled boxpreferably with transparent walls or window on at least one of thewalls. In certain embodiments, the sampling device may be supported byany means capable of supporting the device without operator assistance.

Gravity Activation

In certain embodiments, the sampling process may be activated byallowing the sample bag to expand by the force of gravity on a portionof the sampling device. In embodiments involving gravity activation ofthe sampling process, the sampling apparatus may comprise a supportelement and a weight on opposite sides of the sampling bag. The hangingsupport element is positioned on one side of sampling bag and the weightis positioned on the opposite side. The weight provides a downward forcethat is transmitted to one side of the sample bag. The support elementretains the opposite side in substantially stationary position thus thewalls are biased away from each other creating a vacuum within the innervolume of the sample bag thereby causing a driving force for drawing asample into the bag.

The weight may be removably secured to one side of the sample apparatus,panel or sample bag such that it may be removed and reinstalled orreplaced with a different weight or weighting system. In embodiments,the sampling device or sample bag may comprise a weight support element,wherein the weight may be connected to the weight support element. Theweight should be of sufficient weight or mass to create a vacuum withinthe inner volume. The vacuum is the driving force for drawing the gas tobe sampled from outside the sample bag into the sample bag. The vacuumcan be created by the downward force created by the weight on at leastone of the walls of the sampling bag. The rate of expansion of thesampling bag may be determined by the flow rate of the sampled fluidinto the sample bag, allowing the inner volume of the sample bag toincrease.

The sampling bag may further comprise an inlet flow system. The inletflow system may comprise at least one of an inlet valve, a flow controldevice, tubing or other flow conduit, a particulate filter, andoptionally, a colorimetric or sorbent tube, colorimetric badge,colorimetric paper indicator, impingers or other desired components.

Embodiments of the sampling device replace sampling apparatuses thatrequire a mechanical pump by using gravity to provide a definedrepeatable and reproducible source of power for typical sampling times.In such embodiments, the force provided by the weight is consistent,therefore moderate vacuum created in the inner volume of the device isconsistent throughout the sampling process, and the fluid flow rate intothe sampling bag may also be consistent. The flow rate depends on thepressure differential between the inner volume of the sample bag and theenvironment to be sampled and the configuration of the inlet and thecomponents attached to the inlet. As such for similar weights andsampling devices, repeatable sampling times and results are possible andmay be obtained.

In one embodiment, the sampling device may comprise tubing attached tothe inlet on the top panel or in its proximity. For example, thesampling device may comprise tubing extending the sample point 5 to 6feet above from the floor and means for its support. In some types oflong-term sampling, a sampling inlet point 5 to 6 feet above the flooris recommended to obtain a representative sample of the environment thatworkers may be exposed to during a work shift or other period.

The sampling devices of the invention with activation by gravity, abiasing force, spring, pressurized fluid, or compressed air as thedriving force advantageously avoids the drawbacks of other samplingdevices or canister sampling methods. The device is easy to manufacture,transport, and configure at a sampling location for use. The use ofsampling devices with activation by gravity, a biasing force, spring,pressurized fluid, or compressed air as a driving force do not requirean operator to have significant training or other qualifications tooperate the devices to obtain accurate samples and once activated mayrun unattended without concern of an electrical outage or batteries dingduring the sampling period. Further, the sampling apparatus may beplaced in a box or other container to protect the device from thecorrosive environments or other elements.

The weight may be any object of sufficient weight to create a vacuumwithin the inner volume by biasing the walls of the sampling containerapart. The vacuum provides the driving force for drawing the fluid orgas into the inner volume of the sample bag. Embodiments of the weightmay be a metal weight, a container, bottle or other reservoir, stonesuch as granite, marble, or other material of sufficient weight. Thecontainer, bottle or other reservoir may be filled with a material. Thetype of material, amount of material in the container, bottle, or otherreservoir will determine the weight of weight and therefore affect thevacuum in the inner volume and the driving force of the samplingprocess. The bottle, container, or other reservoir may filed orpartially filled with water, sand, earth, gravel, and/or metal objectsto produce the desired weight. The bottle, container, or other reservoirmay comprise graduation marks on the container to be used to accuratelyfill the bottle, container or other reservoir to the desired level. Theweight should be sufficient to create a desired flow rate of the gas tobe sampled through the inlet. For example, the weight may be greaterthan 100 grams. In some embodiments, the weight may have a weightgreater than 500 grams. In other embodiments, the weight may have aweight between 500 grams and 6000 grams. In other embodiments, theweight may have a weight between 500 grams and 6000 grams or wherein theweight has a weight between 500 grams and 8000 grams.

The purpose of the weight is to create the driving force for sampling.In specific embodiments, the weight is capable of creating a vacuumwithin the inner volume of the sample container or sample bag from oneinch of water to eight inches of water pressure below atmosphericpressure. In other embodiments, the weight is capable of creating avacuum within the inner volume of the sample container or sample bagfrom two inch of water to six inches of water pressure below anatmospheric pressure. In cases with reduced pressure sampling,additional weight may be added to create sufficient vacuum to draw asample fluid into the inner volume of the sample bag.

Support Element

The sampling device may comprise a support structure capable ofsupporting the sampling device. The support element may be any mechanismthat holds the top portion, top wall of the sample bag, or top panelstationary relative to the bottom wall. In embodiments, the samplingdevice comprises a support element comprising a hole or eyelet, a hook,a panel, hook and loop connectors, wire or string, hanger, supportstructure such as a frame or box, combinations thereof or other hangingelement, for example.

In one embodiment, the sampling device may comprise a box or box-likeframe (“box”) to support a top panel of the sample bag as shown in FIG.3-C. The sample bag with a weight may be suspended within the box. Thebox may comprise an open section or a transparent portion so the samplebag may be seen from outside the box and the sampling process may bemonitored. The box may further comprise a lid defining an aperture forreceiving the inlet. In another embodiment, the lid may be the top panelof the sample bag.

In other embodiments, hanging element comprises a panel and a hook, apanel capable of supporting the sampling bag within the box, the boxcomprises side walls and the panel is supported adjacent to a topopening of the box on the side walls, or other support element, forexample.

Inlet

The sample bag or sample container comprises an inlet. The inletprovides fluid communication between the inner volume of the samplingbag and the environment to be sampled. As the inner volume is expandedby the activation force, the fluid to be sampled flows through the inletinto the inner volume.

The inlet may have other components attached to the inlet. Embodimentsof the sample device comprise an inlet system. The inlet system maycomprise one or more of a tubing connection, a valve, a flow controldevice such as a flow restrictor, a septum, a colorimetric tube, and/orother components. The valve may be an ON/OFF valve or comprise flowcontrol features and may comprise connection means for tubes and/or abuild in septum. In case wherein the inlet system has a septum, thesample bag would not need an additional inlet comprising a septum. Incase when the inlet system has a connection means for tube, a secondaperture on the sampling bag may be fitted with separate septum.

A tube connection at the inlet is one means for connecting a flowrestrictor to on the inlet system for various long-term samplingperiods. Certain flow restrictor imposes aerodynamic resistance to theflow through the valve to allow a maximum flow rate into the samplingbag.

Flow Control Device

In some sampling operations, certain flow rates are desired over anextended period of time to provide a long term sample. In suchembodiments, a flow control device in fluid communication with the inletand a gas to be sampled may be attached to the sampling bag. The flowcontrol device will restrict the flow rate of the gas to be sampled intothe sampling bag allowing a long term sampling method to be performed.The flow control device could be a restrictor plate or orifice, tubingwith a small diameter, tubing comprising a flow restriction such as aporous inert material and/or a membrane/needle mechanism automaticallymaintaining certain flow.

The flow control devices may be matched with the volume of the samplingbag to provide a long term sample process. The long term samplingprocess may comprise continuous sampling for standard periods of timesuch as 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, four hours, eight hours (atypical work shift) or more, such as 24 hrs., which may be typical forhome air sampling and new building air testing. Of course, a samplingprocess of many different desired sample periods may be performed bychoosing an appropriate sample bag volume and flow controller such thatthe sample bag will not be completely filled prior to the end of thesample period. For example, an eight hour sample may be taken in a oneliter sample bag if the flow rate into the sample bag is controlled toless than 125 ml/hour (1 liter/8 hours). The flow control device in thisparticular invention is advantageously chosen as a flow restrictiondevice with minimum surface in contact with the sampled gas thereforenegligible sorption of the target gases occurs.

Flow Restriction Devices

A flow restriction device may be fabricated from highly corrosionresistive material with low sorption and low permeability. Such materialmay be stainless steel, some plastics, quartz or special glasspreferably a silanized glass. It is advantageous for present inventionto use as restrictor a capillary fabricated by plastic such as PEEK(polyether-ether-ketone). The inside diameter of the capillary ororifice, the length of the capillary, the volume of the sampling deviceand the pulling force (weight) or reduced volume define the samplingflow rate. For a given sampling volume and fixed weight, the innerdiameter and the length of the capillary define the sampling flow rateand sampling time. It is advantageous to the present invention tooperate mainly with two geometrical parameters—length (L) and internaldiameter (ID) of the capillary for calibrating the sampling time.Another option is to change the weight (changing for example the volumeof the water in the appropriately graduated bottle) is also possible tochange the reduced pressure in the inner volume. By these methods,sampling times may be varied from less than one minute to 5 minuteswhich is practically a grab-sampling process and all set (from somesampling standards times)—15 min (STEL), 30 min, Ceiling, 1, 2, 4, 8hrs. representing a portion or a full working shift or 24 hrs. (Houseenvironment—building standards) may be achieved by the use of properlycalibrated flow restrictors and weights. The invention suggests a set ofinterchangeable precalibrated flow restrictors to be part of ultimateset sampling apparatus.

Particulate Filter

It may be advantageous to have a particulate filter from sinteredquartz, glass, plastic, very fine mesh (over 300×300 lines per inch) ofstainless steel, nylon, polyester or fluoropolymer between therestricting capillary and sampled environment in order to avoid pluggingthe capillary by accumulation of airborne particulates.

When a valve in the inlet system is in fully open position “ON.” theweight is pulling down the bottom panel and/or the bottom wall therebycreating a moderate vacuum in the body. The sampled fluid or gas isdrawn into and filling the inside volume either partially or to itsmaximum available volume.

Volume Limiting System

The sampling device or sample bag may comprise a volume limiting system.For example, mechanical means may limit the final expansion of thesampling bag, the mechanical means include strips, strings, chains,solid posts, or devices that are capable of limiting a distance betweenthe panels. The mechanical means may be attached between the top andbottom panels or connected between the walls of the sampling bag. Thevolume limiting system may mechanically restrict the device from beingfilled to its full volume. The volume limiting system limits thesampling volume and also protects the flexible walls from formingwrinkles and potentially pin-holes in the stress points of thosewrinkles. The volume limiting system may have optional means to beengaged during the sampling procedure and may be disengaged duringshipment thereby allowing the volume to expand if the sample is airbornemailed at high altitude where the pressure difference may lead torupturing the sample bag.

Spring Activation

In other embodiments of the sampling apparatus, the panels and/or samplewalls are biased by at least one spring. In specific embodiments, thesprings are interior to the inner volume of the sample bag and bias thepanels apart to create a vacuum within the sample bag. In someembodiments, the spring may be small compressed spring or acrest-to-crest spring.

The sample apparatus may comprise at least one spring external to thesample bag and bias elements that are attached to the walls of a samplebag. For example, the sample bag may have panels attached to oppositewalls of the sampling bag and the springs may be attached between thepanels to bias the panels apart.

Compressed Gas Activation

In another embodiment of the sampling apparatus, the panels and/orsample walls are biased by at least one pneumatic cylinder or otherwisebiased by compressed gas. In specific embodiments, the pneumaticcylinders are exterior to the inner volume of the sample bag and biasthe panels apart to create a vacuum within the sample bag. Anotherembodiment, the sample device may comprise pneumatic or hydrauliccylinders or other tube like pneumatic inflatable device situatedexterior to the sample bag secluded between the two panels. Once thetube like device is inflating the panels are biased creating vacuum intothe sample bag.

Other embodiments may include at least one hydraulic cylinder.

Secondary Container

Other embodiments include an indirect activation system wherein theweights, springs or pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders act on walls of ahermetically sealed secondary container with changeable volumecomprising a sample bag. By indirect or direct activation, the walls ofthe secondary container are biased apart to create a vacuum within thesecondary container and bias the walls of the sample bag apart. Thereduced volume in the secondary container acts on the walls of thesample bag to draw a sample into the inner volume of the sample bag.

EXAMPLES

An embodiment of sampling apparatus is shown in FIG. 2. The embodimentof the sampling apparatus may be used to obtain a grab sample or asample over an extended period of time. The sampling apparatus 10comprises a sampling bag or middle body defining an inner volume 12, atop panel 14, bottom panel 16, a weight support element 17 and weight20. The top panel 14 is supported and resting between supports 30. Thesupports 30 maintain the top panel 14 in a substantially stationaryposition before and during the sampling process. In this embodiment, thetop panel 14 has a larger surface area than the bottom panel 16 and theflexible middle body or sample bag 12 of the device. The middle body orsample bag 12 in a deflated state may be bigger or smaller than thebottom panel 16. The bottom panel 16 and weight 20 may be loweredthrough the gap between the supports 30 and the top panel 14 will restupon the supports 30. The weight 20 may be fixed on the bottom panel 16by weight support element 17. The sampling volume is prevented fromexpanding to its potential maximum volume by limiting straps 15 thatextend between the top panel 14 and bottom panel 16. There is optionalmeans for engagement and attaching the top panel 14 to the supportelement 30 when sampling. The attachment elements 19 may be adhesive,hoop and loop connectors, pin and hole, screws or other devices to atleast temporarily secure the sample bag to the support element. Theweight 20 provides a downward force exerted on the bottom panel 16 andthe walls of the sample bag 12. The top panel 14 is adhered to the topwall of sample bag 12, the pulling force exerted by the weight 20stretches the middle body 12 creating a moderate vacuum within the innervolume. The moderate vacuum is a driving force for the ambient fluid tofill the middle body 12 through the inlet valve 18. For short-termsampling the valve 18 may be fully opened. For long-term sampling theinlet valve 18 may be connected to a flow restrictor assembly 40. Incase of long-term sampling, the sampling flow rate is restricted by thecritical orifice or limited orifice. In specific embodiments, theorifice may be a cross-section of aperture within a thin capillary 41 ofinert material. The capillary may be made, for example, of any stainlesssteel, Teflon, PEEK, fluoroplastics or similar material. Based upon thedesired fluid flow and the size of the weight, the inner diameter of thecapillary may be from 1.0 micron to 3.0 micron and length of thecapillary anyone from 1 mm to 100 mm, for example. Other lengths andsizes may also be appropriate in certain applications.

The bottom panel 16 advantageously has a weight support element 17 foraccommodating a weight 20. The support elements 17 as shown in FIG. 2comprise retractable brackets or handles 17 (85 in FIG. 7) which mayform an appropriate channel (also shown on FIG. 5) for receiving aweight 20. The generic weight 20 may be a flat piece of metal with knownweight or may be an empty vessel filled by materials having a knowndensity adjusted to a known total weight. The weight 20 may beadvantageously a plastic bottle 20 (as shown in FIG. 5) with volumegraduations marked on a wall and filled with aforementioned materialsand capped with hermetic lid. The shape of the bottle 22 may berectangular and adjusted to fit the channels formed by retractablebrackets 17. The bottle 22 may have additionally means for betteradjustment into brackets 17 as well as means for reading the insertedvolume of liquid or dry material—graduation. To commence the samplingprocess, valve 18 may be opened at least partially and, once thesampling process is completed, the valve 18 may be closed. The volumelimiting straps 15 prevent the device to be filled to its maximumpossible volume for two general reasons; to prevent the formation ofside wrinkles which may create stress points and to allow additionalexpansion by changes of ambient pressure such as during transportationvia airmail. Straps 15 may be disengaged by Velcro adhering pointsbefore the sampling device 10 bag is airmailed thereby to allow thedevice to extend its volume and compensate for the altitude dependingpressure drop.

FIG. 3 depicts three possible support elements for embodiments of thesampling apparatus. FIG. 3-A shows the device 10 hung from a wire 32from a hook attached to a ceiling or other elevated object 30. Such asupport element may have one or more wires or strings 32. The embodimentshown has four strings 32 that may be adjusted to keep the entiresampling device 10 substantially horizontal. FIG. 3-B shows the samplingdevice 10 supported by side walled box-like frame 34. Such constructionmay be executed from the same type corrugated plastic as the materialfor the side panels or may be any other structurally supportive materialsuch as plastic, cardboard, or metal. The side supporting walls 34 mayform a foldable construction which assures the device 10 is heldsubstantially horizontal during the sampling process. FIG. 3-C comprisesan embodiment of the sampling apparatus with side supports on a plasticbox 36 wherein top panel 14 of the sampling device acts as a lid for thebox 36. Advantageously an additional lid comprising an aperture forreceiving valve 18 may be placed over the top panel 14 which allows thislid to be secured or locked preventing interference with samplingprocess. This lid advantageously may have a means 46 for supporting theextension of a sampling tube to a higher sampling point (some samplingprocess may comprise a structure for supporting the sampling point about6 feet above the floor). The embodiments of the invention shown on FIG.2 and FIG. 3 are using gravity to create a moderate vacuum within thesample container. The sampling apparatus may also be used in conjunctionwith additional components such as, but not limited to, detector tubesor sampling tubes of long duration or TWA sampling tubes, sorbent tubes,colorimetric tubes or badges or impingers, cassettes or filters, forexample. The additional components may be attached to the inlet to drawa sample fluid through the additional components.

FIG. 4 depicts various embodiments of sampling apparatus in variousstates of sampling. The embodiments have different shapes and styles ofthe sample container 12; such as a pouch, FIG. 4-A; accordion type, FIG.4-B; or a sample container with randomly folded side walls, FIG. 4-C.The sample container with randomly folded side walls or accordion stylewalls may be advantageously used as a sampling pump for auxiliarydevices—sampling tubes, colorimetric tubes, filters etc. The devices areshown depicting a sampling process in three stages of container volume,beginning, advanced and complete (complete sampling volume is a bigportion but not the entire maximum volume of the sample body 12 due tothe limiting elements 15).

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the sampling device 12 comprising thesample apparatus mounted in a box 36. The box 36 may be of anysupportive material such as, but not limited to, cardboard, plastic,metal or a combination thereof, for example. Further, at least a portionof box 36 may be made from transparent material such as acrylic,polycarbonate, polyolefins, etc., and may have transparent wallsallowing observation of a sampling process.

Since at least a portion of the box is transparent, the sampling processmay be observed and corrected if it was improperly set up or defects inthe sample bag 12 have developed or the sampling period is complete. Onthe top of the box the top panel may be covered additionally with a lidand on the lid a supporting means 46 for extension tube 43 may bemounted. Thus, the extension tube 43 may extend approximately five tosix feet above the floor into a “breathing zone” as defined by OSHA. Anextension tube 43 end may be connected to auxiliary sampling devicessuch as sampling or colorimetric tube 50, impingers, and filters oralike.

FIG. 6-Aa depicts a sampling device wherein a spring 88 is acrest-to-crest type mounted into the interior of the sampling bag andthe springs provide the driving force between the two hard walls—panels14 and 16 to create moderate vacuum. The crest-to-crest springs can becoated with a nonadsorbing coating (such as Silcocoat) and such springshave a very short height when compressed in a flat sampling bag.

In FIG. 6-Ab, an embodiment of the sampling apparatus comprising aspiral spring 87 is used which may be used for sampling of gases thatwill not significantly adsorb on the material of the spring mountedinside the sampling bag. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6-Ac, thesampling apparatus comprises a spiral spring 87 mounted outside samplingbag to bias the panels 14 and 16 apart. As large diameter springs, asshown in FIG. 6-Ac, may have a greater weight, an embodiment of thesampling device may comprise a plurality of springs 87 as shown in FIG.6-B. The sampling device comprises a plurality of springs 87 (at leasttwo) wherein the springs may be mounted in close proximity to the bag'sexterior in order to provide biasing forces on the panels 14 and 16therefore to create moderate vacuum into the sample bag. In someembodiments, it is advantageous for the springs to be crest-to-cresttype in order to accommodate in a small gap between the panels 14, 16when sampling bag is flattened and empty. Other types of exteriormounted springs, such as spiral or flat scissors type also may be usedif constructively satisfy the requirements to be accommodate a smallspace or otherwise to provide biasing forces.

FIG. 6-C displays the use of pressurized gas used in pneumaticcylinders. At least two gas pressure cylinders 91 may be mounted inclose proximity around the sampling bag's perimeter. Once thepressurized gas acts on the cylinder 91 and piston 92 it biases the sidepanels 14 and 16 apart and acts as described heretofore. The cylindersmay be open and used as pneumatic movers or closed under pressure andused as gas-springs. Hydraulic cylinders may similarly be used.

FIG. 6-Da-Dc depict a sampling apparatus comprising and inflatablebladder 94 that may by inflated with a pressurized gas. In theembodiments of the sampling apparatus shown, the inflatable bodysurrounds the sampling bag biasing panel surfaces apart while beinginflated. When the bag is flattened, the surrounding inflatable body isalso flattened. Once the pressurized gas starts inflating the bladder94, it provides biasing forces on both panels 14 and 16 offering thesampling process the same as described heretofore.

FIG. 7 displays a sampling device comprising indirect activation of thesampling process. In this embodiment, a sampling bag 62 is containedwithin an external container. This container may have at least one rigidwall 82 b and at least one soft accordion type side wall 83. Theembodiment of the sampling apparatus shown in FIG. 7 comprises acontainer having two rigid walls 82 b and 84. Biasing of the rigid walls82 b and 84 away from each other and expansion of the soft wall 83creates moderate vacuum inside of the container. This vacuum is actingon the bag's walls by pulling them apart and therefore creating aseparate vacuum within the sample bag. Advantageously, the containerwalls may be made transparent for better observation of expansion of thesample bag 62. The container walls of the sampling apparatus of FIG. 7may be biased by any means described for other embodiments of thesampling apparatus, such as, but not limited to, gravity by attaching aweight to the bottom of the container, springs, pneumatic cylindersand/or hydraulic cylinders.

The sampling device upon present invention has plurality of advantagescompared with all state of the art devices and related strategies ofsampling. As mentioned advantages are in comparison with two mainexisting groups of devices and methods associated with them, it isreasonable to provide comparison between device upon invention and eachof the existing groups and methods.

The embodiments of the described sampling apparatus and methods are notlimited to the particular embodiments, components, method steps, andmaterials disclosed herein as such components, process steps, andmaterials may vary. Moreover, the terminology employed herein is usedfor the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments only and theterminology is not intended to be limiting since the scope of thevarious embodiments of the present invention will be limited only by theappended claims and equivalents thereof.

Therefore, while embodiments of the invention are described withreference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art willunderstand that variations and modifications can be effected within thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly,the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention should notbe limited to the above discussed embodiments, and should only bedefined by the following claims and all equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A sampling apparatus, comprising: asampling bag comprising: an inner volume defined by walls of thesampling bag, wherein the walls comprise at least one flexible wall; aninlet in fluid communication with the inner volume; a hanging elementconnected to the sampling bag; a weight support element connected to thesampling bag; and a weight connected to the weight support element,wherein the weight is sufficient to create a vacuum within the innervolume.
 2. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, comprising a flow controldevice in fluid communication with the inlet and a fluid to be sampled.3. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, comprising a support structurecapable of supporting the sampling bag by the hanging element.
 4. Thesampling apparatus of claim 3, wherein the support structure is a box.5. The sampling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the box comprises atransparent portion.
 6. The sampling apparatus of claim 4, wherein thehanging element comprising a panel capable of supporting the samplingbag within the box.
 7. The sampling apparatus of claim 6, wherein thebox comprises side walls and the panel is supported adjacent to a topopening of the box on the side walls.
 8. The sampling apparatus of claim4, wherein the box comprises a lid defining an aperture for receivingthe inlet or a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the inlet andthe hanging element is connected to the lid.
 9. The sampling apparatusof claim 1, wherein the weight comprises a bottle containing water. 10.The sampling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weight comprises areservoir.
 11. The sampling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the reservoiris filled with at least one of water, sand, earth, gravel, or metalobjects.
 12. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weight issufficient to create a desired flow rate of the fluid to be sampledthrough the inlet.
 13. The sampling apparatus of claim 12, wherein theweight has a weight eater than 100 grams.
 14. The sampling apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the weight has a weight between 500 grams and 6000grams.
 15. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inletcomprises a valve.
 16. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, wherein thehanging element comprises a panel and a hook.
 17. The sampling apparatusof claim 1, wherein the hanging element comprises a ring and a panel.18. The sampling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weight is capable ofcreating a vacuum within the inner volume, wherein the vacuum is fromone inch of water to ten inches of water pressure below atmosphericpressure.
 19. A method of sampling, comprising: attaching a weight to abottom portion of a sampling bag, wherein the sampling bag comprises atleast one flexible wall, an inner volume, an inlet in fluidcommunication with the inner volume and a fluid exterior to the samplingbag, wherein a flow control device is attached to the inlet and asupport element is connected to the sampling bag; and suspending thesampling bag from the support element to allow the weight to cause anincrease in the size of the inner volume of the sampling bag thusdrawing a sample into the inner volume through the inlet.
 20. The methodof claim 19, wherein the sampling bag comprises a valve and the methodcomprises opening the valve.
 21. The method of claim 19, whereinsuspending the sampling bag comprises suspending the sampling bag withina box.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing a lid onthe box, wherein the lid defines an aperture aligned with the inlet. 23.The method of claim 22, wherein the inlet extends through the aperture.24. The method of claim 22, comprising securing the lid to the box toprevent tampering with the sampling bag.
 25. The method of claim 19,wherein the sampling bag comprises a top panel and a bottom panel,wherein the support element is connected to the top panel and the weightis attached to the bottom panel.
 26. The method of claim 19, wherein theweight comprises a bottle containing water and the method comprisesadding water to the bottle.
 27. The method of claim 19, wherein theweight comprises a reservoir.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein thereservoir comprises graduation markings indicating various volumes ofthe reservoir.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the reservoir isfilled with at least one of water, sand, earth, gravel, or metalobjects.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the weight has a weightgreater than 100 grams.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the weighthas a weight between 500 grams and 8000 grams.
 32. The method of claim27, wherein the weight has a weight greater than 500 grams.
 33. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the weight has a weight between 500 gramsand 6000 grams.
 34. The method of claim 19, wherein the weight issufficient to create a desired flow rate of the fluid to be sampledthrough the inlet.
 35. The method of claim 19, wherein the weight hassufficient mass to draw a sufficient quantity of fluid to be sampledinto the inner volume.
 36. A sampling apparatus, comprising: a samplingbag comprising an inner volume defined by walls of the sampling bag,wherein the walls comprise at least one flexible wall, an inlet in fluidcommunication with the inner volume, wherein a hanging element isattached to the sampling bag and a support element is connected to thesampling bag; a weight connected to the weight support element, whereinthe weight is sufficient to create a vacuum within the inner volume; anda flow control device in fluid connection with the inlet and a fluid tobe sampled.